Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Today (Aug 15) is my parents 36 wedding anniversary. I am so glad these two found each other. Never have I met a couple more made for each other. They understand each other. They know each others quirks and snaffles and they still love each other. When my mom obsesses over something (her babies or now her grandbabies) my dad just watches with a smile on his face. He loves her for her faults, her perfections, her goodness, her love. She loves him despite his faults (buying his own birthday presents) and especially for his goodness, his love, and what a wonderful man he is.

These two are the couple that you still see smooching in the kitchen, holding hands while on a walk. He still opens all the doors for her and treats her like the queen she is. My parents cannot survive without the other one by their side. When my mom comes to visit me she can't stay long because she misses my dad. My dad gets grouchy because he misses her. They have a sweet companionship that every couple wishes they had. They truly enjoy being with each other. I love to watch them and learn from them.

These two raised 3 amazing children, if I do say so. They taught us hardwork, morals, values, love, honesty, pride, loyalty and what a family is all about. I love you mom and dad! Thanks for being the great examples that you are.

Infatuation is when you think he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Conners. Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford - but you'll take him anyway. ~Judith Viorst, Redbook, 1975

After The Wedding Luncheon

After the wedding luncheon we headed over to Julie's house to change our clothes and to say some good-byes.  

The kids found their favorite toy, the cooler.

Then they found the really big cooler.

I let the water out of it so they had even more fun.

Annie found a little baby cooler, just her size.

I love the looks on all our faces. Jake is trying to persuade me to do something I'm sure. Mark is watching to see what will unfold, and I'm madly trying to think of something to distract Jake from whatever he is wanting.

Julie made it home and what a greeting she is getting. 

Jake, Michael, and Anthony

Grandma and Grandpa too!

"Grandma, let us out! We promise not to run in different directions!"

Michael is so excited, look at his face.

Grandma let Jake wear her shoes.

Grandpa Pops made it back with a yummy cake!

An early Happy Father's Day cake. 

Showing the cake to the kids.

Yum! Beau Brummel's chocolate rum cake. Delicious!

Annie drinking Grandma's water.

Michael and Daddy

Annie finding it humorous to crawl under the table.

Grandma and Grandpa Pops enjoying their grandbabies.

Annie, Jaileigh, and Anthony in Julie's spotless garage. 

Drinking big boy drinks.

Anthony and Jake

Another BBQ. Chicken, hot dogs, and burgers.

Mark cheffing it up.

Annie found a stash of money under the chair.

Uncle Davey!

There goes Jake.

I think they recognize kindred spirits.

Brothers- Dave and Greg

Jaileigh wanted to be friends too.

Annie adoring someone.

Fixing Michael's owie. Good thing Grandpa Pops had his first aid supplies.

I wasn't lucky enough to get to watch this but from what I heard my foursome ganged up on poor uncle Greg. I'm not even sure I want to know the whole story. I do know that there was some ice throwing involved. Sorry Greg!

Putting ice down each others diapers.

Lisa and I chatting over her burger.

The two oldest brothers. 

Dave and Tom

Julie rinsing off the gatoraide that someone spilled. 

Annie found a new place to hang out.

Grandma showing off her birthday gift to Jack.

Someone is tired!

Two other someones were tired too. Parents of the groom, Jack and Lisa.

After the BBQ we headed back to St. George. We arrived at my parents house about 11:00 pm. The kids slept the whole way. I was exhausted and don't know how Mike stayed awake to drive us. It took us 4 hours. We didn't dare stop for fear the kids would wake up. Our wonderful journey and vacation is slowing coming to an end. Happy Anniversary Honey!

What Are You Doing Aunty Rori??

A bug? A spider? What on earth are you doing? For the life of me I can't remember!

Saturday morning (6/18) was the wedding ceremony. While the parents attended we stayed home and packed, watched the children, and got ready to attend the luncheon. Today is also our 6th wedding anniversary. It's kind of cool that we get to share it with my cousin now.

Annie in the corner eating something.

Jake trying on Rori's shoes.

Happy Anniversary!

June 18th we celebrated our 6th Anniversary. What a wild and crazy 6 years it has been! We have come so far from those two love birds that met in Vegas. We have moved 6 times, multiplied and replenished the earth 5 times, traveled all over, fought uncountable times, loved even more, and lived life to the fullest that we were able. I can't believe how blessed the two of us have been. Our biggest blessing would have to be our 5 beautiful children and each other. I am so thankful that I moved to Las Vegas and met this Chicago boy and that I actually went out with him. What a journey we have had. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. Love you!

Happy Anniversary!

I have been sleeping downstairs on an airbed that has a slow leak in it. I didn't mind because when the air leaked out the bed got squishier for me. It has been too hot to sleep in our upstairs bedroom. Our house doesn’t have air conditioning and the last 2 weeks it has been over 95 degrees. No one up here on the mountain has air conditioning, I guess because it is supposed to be cool. On Wednesday Mike and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. We agreed to no presents and no cards. He broke the rule and bought a card and a present- a new airbed that doesn’t leak. It was very sweet of him and I love it. Since I cannot go shopping I decided I would try to put together a slideshow of the last 3 years for him.

Looking through our pictures I realized how blessed we have been. We have been able to go on a lot of vacations, we have enjoyed each other, we got to know each other, we visited families and friends, and really enjoyed ourselves and played. I am so thankful for the time we had together alone and that we could become even closer as friends, soul mates, and eternal companions. I am even more excited that we now get to do it all with a family. Even though things will be tough, I couldn't choose a better person standing by my side and holding my hand through it all.

I love you Mike and appreciate EVERYTHING that you do!

If you can't get the slideshow to play, click on view all images and see if that helps. I have worked on this for a week and am still trying to figure it out. I thought I was somewhat tech savvy but I guess not.